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Importing Live Cattle and Bison from

Canada to the United States

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USDA APHIS regulates the importation of all ruminants and their germplasm

(embryos/oocytes, semen, cloning tissue) to prevent the spread of animal diseases.

Ruminants include all animals which chew the cud, such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep,

goats, deer, antelopes, camels, llamas and giraffes.
View Countries From Which Bovines and Their Germplasm May Be Imported

Requirements

Ports of Entry

Northern Border Ports

Idaho: Eastport

Maine: Houlton and Jackman

Michigan: Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie

Minnesota: Baudette

Montana: Opheim, Raymond, and Sweetgrass

New York: Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, and Champlain

North Dakota: Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal

Vermont: Derby Line and Highgate Springs

Washington: Oroville and Sumas

Air/Ocean

Newburg, NY

Miami, FL

Los Angeles, CA

** Please see 9CFR 93.403 for list of special/limited ports of entry

Live Domestic Cattle and Bison

Protocol Wood Bison from Canada (175.12 KB) January 2022

Protocol Cattle and Bison from Canada (143.59 KB) June 2018

NOTE:  As of November 13, 2017, the requirement for individual age

identification for cattle destined for immediate slaughter has been

removed from the Canadian export certificate.

Guidance specific to the importation of Cattle/Ruminants from Canada

Protocol for the Importation of Bison from Elk Island National Park, Canada to

the United States (179.61 KB)
Addendum for Rest Stops for Breeding Cattle from the United States and

Canada (25.08 KB) - May 2008

Feed, Water, and Rest Stations

Questions and Answers for Ruminants Imported from Canada (378.78 KB)

List of Plants Approved to Handle Immediate Slaughter Animals

Feeder Calves (“bob” calves under 21 days)

Destination Inspection and Country Mark Verification (137.9 KB)

Destination Facility Approval Requirements (137.9 KB)

Port of Entry Pilot Project Information

Update: Import Alert: Pre-Shipment Approval and Destination Inspection for CalfOnly Shipments from Canada (govdelivery.com)

Highgate, VT (VS.highgate.springs.POE@usda.gov)

Alexandria Bay, NY (vs.alexandria.bay.poe@usda.gov)

Niagara Falls, NY (vs.niagara.poe@usda.gov)

Port Huron, MI (VS.Port.Huron.POE@usda.gov)

Bovine Embryos

A permit and export health certificate are required to import bovine embryos from

Canada.

Bovine Semen

A permit is not required to import bovine semen from Canada transported by land;

an export health certificate must accompany the shipment and the port of entry into

the United States must be notified at least three days in advance. VS Contacts: Live

Animal and Animal Product Exports

What You Need To Know

U.S. transits are classified as shipments presented to a U.S. port of entry for

conveyance purposes to then be transported to a destination country shortly

after. Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import

Transit Permits (272.29 KB).
Please note that any animals and their germplasm transiting the United States

must not transit countries with questionable disease statuses prior to reaching

a U.S. port of entry.

All transits require a contingency plan. Please submit your contingency plan

with your permit application (VS 17-129 (106.94 KB)) to laipermits@usda.gov.

To submit an import permit electronically, visit APHIS eFile.

If you are applying to import live animals, semen, and embryos, you may submit

applications by email to laipermits@usda.gov

Contact Us

Live Animal Imports

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3000

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:

Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

All Contacts